Rotary stalk chopper



y 12, 1938- G. E. WEEMS 2,123,579

- Rfr fiif 3mm CHOPPER Filed March 8, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l inventor 621 ET wmmw Attorneys y 1938, G. E. WEEMS ROTARY STALK CHOPPER Filed March 8, 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5257 Z l eems' By @Mm A iiorneys Patented July 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,123,579 ROTARY STALK CHOPPER I Guy E. Weems, Rotan, Tex.

Application March 8, 1937, Serial No. 129,714

2 Claims.

This inventionrelates -to an improved rotary multiple bladed corn stalk cutter or chopper in the nature of an attachment applicable to conventional type cultivatcrs, and the purpose of the invention is to generally improve upon structures of this class by providing one possessed of such refinements and distinctions as render it more aptly fitted for the intended purposes.

I am sufiiciently conversant with the prior state of the art to which the invention relates to realize that attachments of this general type are broadly old. It follows, therefore, that in order to fulfill the requirements of my improved conception, I have evolved and produced an ingenious structural assembly wherein the rotary bladed reelis bodily detachable from simple hanger rods, said rods themselves being adjustably connected with a stock or existing part of a well recognized type of cultivator.

A further'feature of'the construction has to do with the specific construction of the cutter unit, this including a tubular hub, and said hub being associated with a novel bearing structure, whereby to permit free rotation of the blades to insure effective chopping or cutting of the stalks.

More specifically, an outstanding feature of the invention is predicated on the axle and bearing and hub assembly, wherein roller bearing units are employed and wherein these are removably fitted on the axle or shaft in a manner to facilitate assembling and repair.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of what may be called a conventional cultivator showing the improved attachment type stalk cutter applied thereto.

Figure 2 is an elevational View of the stalk chopper removed from the cultivator.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the cutter blades.

Reference being had to the general machine assembly shown in Figure 1, it will be observed that I make no claim to the cultivator. This cultivator is identified generally by the numeral 6 and includes the supporting wheels I and other regulation features. At the rear end and underlying the seat 8 is a secondary tool car- Tying beam 9 to accommodate the tools 10. These features In vary in construction and need not be described in detail. It is to be pointed out, however, that on the extreme rear end of this beam 9 would ordinarily be additional cul- 5 tivating tools. In the present instance, however, these particular tools are removed and the stalk chopper, denoted generally by the numeral II, is substituted therefor. Suitable fastenings 12, here shown in the form of U-bolts, constitute the existing means for adjustably retaining the stalk cutter unit H in place.

The numerals i3 designate substantially perpendicular hanger rods. The lower ends are formed into half-clamps, as at I4, to accommodate clamping members l5, these being held in place by bolts Hi. This provides a satisfactory and reliable clamping head to accommodate the reduced ends I! of the axle or shaft I8 of the type seen in Figure 4. It will be observed here that by reducing the ends of the axle, the adjacent portions of the body thereof form: shoulders. Hence, these shoulders permit the roller bearing units l9 to be slipped over the reduced ends II. to rest against the shoulders. This arrangement provides an ideal frictionless hanger yoke for the bladed reel or cutter. The latter feature is characterized by a tubular hub 20 having bushings 2| fitted into the ends thereof. The bushings serve to conveniently accommodate bearing units I9 and the bushings are swedged or otherwise firmly fitted in the ends of the tubular hub 20. On the opposite ends of the hub are disk-like supporting heads 22 which serve to accommodate the chopping or cutting blades 23. Each blade 23 is in the nature of a rectangular plate, the ends being notched as indicated at 24 and the portions forming the notches being bent back or laterally to provide attaching ears 2,5. The ears 25 are bent in opposite directions and bolted or otherwise secured to the marginal portions of the heads 22 allowing the notched ends 24 to override and project beyond said heads 22. Referring again to Figure 4, it will be observed that the numeral 26 designates a premanently secured end thrust cap which is centrally apertured to permit the extension II to extend through and beyond the same. Interposed between the cap and bearing I9 is suitable packing means 21. Similar pack- 50 ing is provided at the opposite right hand end in Figure 4 and at this end is a removable screwcap 28 apertured to accommodate the adjacent projecting end II. In this assemblage it is obvious that the cap 28 is first removed, after 55 which the bearing at the left is assembled on the reduced shoulder ends of the axle I8. Then this bearing fitted end is slipped into place with the extension I! projecting through the cap 26, as shown. Either before or after this adjustment is made, the remaining bearing 19 at the opposite end is slipped over the extension I! and fitted into its bushing, after which the cap 28 is put in place in a manner to facilitate expeditious assembling.

The numerals 29 in Figure 2 designate suitable grease cups to facilitate lubricating the bearings.

Structural novelty is thought to reside in the provision of the vertically adjustable hanger rods [3 with the simple clamping means M and I5 at the lower ends thereof to accommodate the axle ends on the reel cutter unit. The cutter unit itself characterized by the disk-like heads and notched renewable blades 23 is novel. More in particular, however, the bearing and assembling means depicted to advantage in Figure 4 is an efiicient adaptation. Taking everything into consideration, it is believed that the structure is well designed, substantially indestructible, effective for the purposes intended, and, in every respect, suitable to accomplish the results for which it is designed. i

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structural assemblage of the class described, an axle, roller bearing units mounted on the end portions of said axle, a rotary bladed stalk chopper including a tubular hub, said hub being provided at one end with a fixed centrally apertured cap, being provided at the opposite end with a removable centrally apertured cap, the end portions of said axle extending thro'ugh and beyond the apertures in said caps, said bearings being located in the end portions of said tubular hub, and bushings interposed between the bearing units and adjacent portions of said hub.

2. In a rotary stalk chopper of the class described, a tubular hub open at opposite ends, a closing cap fixedly mounted on one end and centrally apertured, disk-like heads mounted on the end portions of said hub, blades secured between said heads, an axle, the major body portion of said axle being located in said hub, the end portions being reduced to form shoulders, said reduced end portion at one end of the axle extending through and beyond said cap, a roller bearing unit mounted on said reduced end portion and abutting the shoulder and confined in the hub, the shouldered end portion of the opposite end of said axle being confined within the limits of the hub, a roller bearing unit mounted on said lastnamed end and abutting the shoulder and confined in the hub, and a screw cap on said lastnamed end of the hub and centrally apertured to permit passage therethrough of the adjacent reduced end portion of the axle.

GUY E. WEEMS. 

